Box



E- C- MUJrN/lx Feb 13, 1940.

BOX

Filed July 26' 1958 2 sheets-Sheet 1 E. C. MULNIX Feb. 13, 1940.

BOX

Filed July 26. 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 13, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in boxes usually made of flexible material such as boxboard, paper or the like, and has for its primary object the provision of a box construction 5 of the character indicated having an improved handle arrangement therefor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved construction of the character indicated provided with a specially arranged handle r construction which is capable of economical production and highly eiiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction of the character indicated having special provision therein for utilizing the handle for locking the box in closed position.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable box embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 a plan view of a blank from which the box is formed;

Fig. 3 a perspective view of a portion of the handle end of the box illustrating the manner of attaching the handle thereto;

, Fig. 4 a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the positions assumed by the parts when the box is being closed and the handle inserted into operative position;

Fig. 5 a detail view showing the positions Aof the parts assumed at an initial stage of the closing manipulation of the box;

Fig. 6 a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 'l a section through one side of the box showing the positions assumed by the parts when the box is closed; and

Fig. 8 a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. '1.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises an integral blank made of boxboard, paper or the like having one interior portion I0 set off by scoring or creases as shown. to constitute the top or cover portion of an outer box member. 'I'he top portion I0 is connected as indicated with a corresponding portion II by a common wall member I2 which serves as a swinging connection between the outer and inner box members. The top portion I0 is provided with side walls I3 connected by triangular flaps I4 and I5 with end wall I6. In assembling the box, the side walls I3 are rst folded inwardly onto the top portion III and the end wall I6. The end wall I6 is provided with a securing ap I1 which is. folded inwardly onto the nap I5 and secured to the wall I6 by means of the usual central stitch employed for this purpose. The securing flap I1 l thus constitutes an ordinary and well known form of securing ap cooperating with the corner aps I4 and I5 for securing that end of the outer box member in distended form in the usual way, as well known by those skilled in this art.

The end wall I6 is provided with a transverse slot in the form of a slit Il having inwardly diverglng ends I9 for a purpose to be presently described.

The bottom portion II is provided with end walls 20 connected by triangular iiapsZI, 22 and 23 with the ends of the side walls I3, as best shown in Fig. 2. As shown the flaps 2I, 22 and 23 are connected by diagonal scores or creases which fold in the usual way and a locking opening or slot 24 is provided as shown in the crease between the flaps 2| and 22. Flap 23 is provided with a. locking tongue 25 adapted and arranged to automatically enter the slot 24 in the folding operation and whereby the adjacent end and corner of the wall I3 will be held closely adjacent the wall 20 when the box is closed.

The walls 20 are connected, as best shown in Fig. 2, with the ends of the end wall 26 for the inner box member. by folding flaps 21 and 26 and securing flap 29 is provided on wall 26, said flaps 21, 28, and 29 serving the same functions here as the aps I4, I5 and I1 serve on the other end of the box, as will be readily understood.

The wall 26 is provided with a. circular opening 30, as shown, cooperating with an inclined slot in the form of slit 3|, having a circular opening 32 at its outer end in transverse registration with the opening 30, as shown.

A spring wire handle member 33. shaped as shown, has its ends 34' bent sharply inwardly and then sharply outwardly thus forming engaging ends 35 at acute angles to the portions 34.

In manufacturing the box, a blank in the form illustrated in Fig. 2 is first formed. The securing naps I1 and 29 are folded inwardly onto the face of the corresponding end walls and secured thereto by means of the usual central wire stitches or staples. In this condition the work at the factory is completed and the box is in condition for shipment in flat, folded condition. In making up the box for use, the end walls I6 and 26 are folded upwardly in the usual way and secured in place by means of securing flaps I1 and 2l. The handle member 33 is then applied to the wall u 2G by inserting one of the ends 3l through the opening 30 and swinging the other end 3l through the slit 3| until its angie engages theopening 32, as indicated in Fig. 3. Then the desired contents is inserted in the box, the handle member folded downwardlyonte the wall 2l and the two box parts folded together to bring the wall I6 over the wall 2i, the end of the handle member 33 being inserted through the slot Il during the process, as best illustrated in Fig. 4. When the box has thus been fully closed, the handle member 33 may be raised into the position indicated in Fig. 1 thus interlocking with the openings and slots and locking the end walls Il and 28 together to furnish a convenient handle for the box and also to hold the same in closed condition.

It will be noted that the securing ilap 23 is deep enough to cover the ends 35 of the handle member and thus protect the contents of the box from injury.

By this arrangement a folding box of the character indicated may be provided with a minimum of material; a suitable handle readily and quick. ly applied thereto; the box readily closed; the handle member utilized both as a handle and as a lock holding the box parts closed; and the ends of the handle member covered to protect the contents of the box therefrom.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying the invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modication without departing from the spirit of the invention. I therefore do not wish to' be limited to the precise details disclosed but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A box comprising an outer and an inner box member foldably connected together to cause said outer member to iit over said inner member, the wall at the freely swinging end of said outer member being transversely slotted for the pessage of a handle member, and the corresponding wall of the inner member being provided with a pivot opening and a cooperating inclined slot for the reception of the ends of a handle member; and a handle member having ends engaging said pivot opening and inclined slot and the body of said handle member being adapted to pass through said transverse slot to lock said walls together and serve as a handle for the box.

2. A box comprising an outer and inner box memberfoldably connected together by a common wall to causesaid outer member to fit over said inner member, the wallat the freely swinging end of said outer member being transversely slotted and the ends of said transverse slot diverging inwardly for the passage of a handle member, and the corresponding wall of the inner member being provided with a pivot opening and a cooperating inclined slot for the reception of the ends'of a handle member: and a handle member made of spring wire having its ends bent inwardly and then outwardly to form acute angles. the ends of said handle member engaging said pivot opening and inclined slot and said handle member being adapted and arranged to pass through thetransverse slot in said outer wall to lock said walls together and serve as a handle for the box.

3. A box comprising an outer and inner box member foldably connected together by a common wall to cause said outer member to iit over said inner member, the wall at the freely swinging end of said outer member being transversely slotted and the ends of said transverse slot diverging inwardly for the passage of a handle member. and the corresponding wall of the inner member being provided with a pivot opening and a cooperating inclined slot for the reception of the ends of a handle member; a handle member made of spring wire having its ends bent inwardly and then outwardly to form acute angles. the ends of said handle member engaging said pivot opening and inclined slot and said handle member being adapted and arranged to pass through the transverse slot in said outer wall to lock said walls together and serve as a handle for the box; and a flap on said corresponding wall covering the ends of said handle member.

ERSEL C. MULNIX. 

